I have not earned any salary since I became governor – Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has said he has not earned salary since he assumed office in November 2010.
The statement was made during the launch of Oodua FM in Ile-Ife on Sunday.
“When people complain about our financial state, I begin to wonder if they think I am spending people’s money. Some of you do not know that I have not received any salary since I became governor of Osun state, why will I take that of others.
“Osun State has been in deep financial crisis for a long while and has been unable to pay salaries of workers.”
The governor explained that the state’s poor financial condition is the reason he refused to appoint commissioners.
“How will I have commissioners when we have no money? He asked.
“The minority leader of Osun state House of Assembly wrote a post on Facebook complaining that I have not paid them. We don’t have the money; even the minority leader does not have a car.”
According to the pay package prepared by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, a state governor earns a monthly salary of N2.2 million.
He is, however, entitled to several other perks, including constituency allowance of N4.44 million, hardship allowance N1.11 million, leave allowance N222, 370.00, and newspaper allowance N333,555.75.
Mr. Aregbesola added that the economic crisis in the state was not only affecting indigenes but also other states, noting “there is no free money anywhere.”
“The poor financial condition of the state has also made it impossible to live up to its obligations to the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, which it jointly funds with Oyo State.”
The Governor, further advised the owner of the radio station, Rotimi Malone, to utilize the radio station in fostering development for the state rather than focus on politics.
He further accused the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation for allegedly performing below expectation.
According to him, “Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation has set standards but they just do things anyhow. There was a time that Osun state was almost torn apart through the media but Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation refused to act.”